The governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, has expressed support for the attempt by the Nigeria government to regulate social media.

He said he was “strongly” in support of the move.

He spoke when he received the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, in Owerri on Thursday.

Mr Adamu said social media was the greatest weapon used to escalate the #EndSARS protest across Nigeria.

The visit was aimed at ascertaining the level of damage done to both public and private facilities during the peaceful EndSARS protest hijacked by hoodlums to loot and cause civil unrest in the society.

He advised Nigerians not to allow the country to pass through the experience it had during the protest in future.

Mr Adamu commended the police officers across the country for being professional during the protest.

“I can tell you that our men acted professionally during the protest, they had their guns, they were being killed, yet they respected human dignity,” he said.

“I came specifically to visit vandalised property and to see the level of damage done to police facilities in Imo.’’

Mr Adamu said he would also address key police officers to encourage and boost their morale which he said were low due to the protest.

He said he would strengthen community policing and partner with relevant parties in achieving the aim.

Mr Uzodinma, in his remarks, said the police officers made a huge sactifice for the nation during the protest.

He said the society needs to embrace the police strongly, while also assuring that the Imo government would support security agencies in the state.

The governor expressed worry that social media was being used to cause trouble in the country.

“I am strongly advocating that social media should be regulated in Nigeria.

“Opposition party incited hoodlums to cause trouble in Imo, because the real protesters went off the street after my address and assurances to them,’’ Mr Uzodinma said.

“The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu also commissioned the new Commissioner of Police quarter which we built for the comfort of the Commissioners of Police posted to the State,” he continue.

“Commissioning the new building, the IGP expressed his gratitude to the State government for putting in place such a magnificent edifice, stressing the fact that it will help boost the morale of the men and officers in the command.

“He applauded our giant strides in the State, especially in the area of prioritising security and promised to assist the State government with more effective and efficient policing requirements.

“While speaking at the event, I made it clear that our government is ever ready to work with the police in ensuring a crime free Imo State and added that we will address the issue of welfare of the officers and men of the Police in the State.

“Furthermore, I shared with IGP what I saw during my assessment tour of the Police quarters in the State, which can be best described as pitiable and uninhabitable.

“To this end, I pledged to look into it as soon as possible.”